A Trip to Bucharest , Attractions, Accommodation and Flights

Bucharest, the capital of Romania, is a wonderful destination for a short break.

Romania is a country that has been through a lot, and Bucharest, as its capital, has always been at the centre of upheaval. It was under a communist regime from 30 September 1947 until December 1989 when the revolution took place, culminating in the trial and execution of Nicolae Ceaușescu.

Bucharest has experienced significant development in recent years. There are many drab buildings in the city, remnants of the communist era, but you will also find many beautiful green parks and numerous Byzantine buildings that have survived earthquakes and wars.

Attractions in Bucharest

The Palace of the Parliament

The Palace of the Parliament in Bucharest, which now houses the Romanian Parliament and Senate, is the largest building in Europe and the second largest in the world after the Pentagon.

It was built on the orders of Nicolae Ceaușescu, the then communist president of Romania. To construct this massive building, which covers 1.8 square kilometres, 20% of Bucharest’s old town was demolished.

If you wish, you can visit the Palace of the Parliament, as not all of its halls are in use and some are open to the public.

Entry to the Palace of the Parliament is from 09:00 to 17:00 during the summer months (March to October) and from 10:00 to 16:00 during the winter months (November to February).

A standard ticket for the Palace of the Parliament costs 40 lei, which is 8.56 euros, for adults. Student tickets (19-26 years old) cost 20 lei – 4.28 euros, and children’s tickets (7-18 years old) are 10 lei – 2.14 euros.

Arcul de Triumf (Arch of Triumph)

The Arch of Triumph in Bucharest was constructed in 1935 and designed by Petre Antonescu. This arch was built from stone, replacing an older wooden one that had stood in the same spot since 1922.

Beneath the 27-metre arch, military parades are held every year on 1 December to honour Romania's national anniversary.

Dracula’s Castle – Bran Castle

Bran Castle is located near Bran village in Brașov County in the Carpathian Mountains.

This Gothic castle was built in 1212 and now functions as a museum.

Dracula’s Castle operates during the summer season (April – September) from 09:00 to 18:00. From October to March, it operates from 09:00 to 16:00. Every Monday, the castle opens after 12:00 noon.

Tickets for Bran Castle cost 40 lei for standard entry, 30 lei for those over 65, 25 lei for students, and 10 lei for children.

On the official website of Bran Castle, you can book your tickets in advance to avoid waiting in queues.

Useful travel tips:

• If you have claustrophobic tendencies or don't enjoy climbing many stairs, it's best not to enter the castle.
• Around the castle, there are many shops where you can buy various Dracula souvenirs.

Romanian Athenaeum – George Enescu National Museum

It is one of the most famous attractions in Bucharest, operating since 1888.

This incredibly elegant domed building houses the Bucharest Opera and is the home of the George Enescu Philharmonic Orchestra.

 

Cantacuzino Palace – George Enescu National Museum

The palace was built in the 19th century to serve the then Prime Minister of Romania, Gheorghe Grigore Cantacuzino. In the museum, you will be able to see manuscripts and other items that belonged to the famous composer.

National Museum of Art

The most popular and notable museum in the city is the National Museum of Art of Romania. There you will see collections of mediaeval and modern Romanian Art.

The museum is housed on 4 floors at the back of the Palace of the Parliament, which we mentioned above. For this reason, entry to the museum is subject to strict security by authorities. You will need to pass through an X-ray check, similar to an airport.

The museum operates Wednesday to Sunday from 12:00 to 20:00 during May to October, and from 10:00 to 18:00 from November to April.

Admission for entry to the National Museum of Art of Romania costs 16 lei.

What to see in Bucharest

Parcul Herastrau – Herastrau Park

It is the largest and most beautiful park you will find in Bucharest. Located in the northern part of the city, it features a wonderful artificial lake inside.

Don't miss the opportunity to wander through the park and discover the open-air ethnographic museum. There you will see 270 traditional buildings, offering insight into traditional Romanian life.

Flights to Bucharest

There are many options to reach Bucharest.

Direct flights to Bucharest are operated from both Athens and Thessaloniki.

Thessaloniki Bucharest Flights

From Thessaloniki and Macedonia Airport, flights to Bucharest are operated solely by the Romanian airline Tarom. You will arrive at Otopeni Airport in Romania, which is just 17 km from Bucharest city centre.

The flight from Thessaloniki to Bucharest takes 1 hour and 45 minutes.

Find the most affordable flights to Bucharest on our website, with prices starting from 100 euros return.

Athens Bucharest Flights

If your journey starts from Athens and Eleftherios Venizelos Airport, then you have more options.

Direct flights from Athens to Bucharest are operated by Aegean, Ryanair, and Tarom.

All airlines flying to Bucharest land at Otopeni Airport, which is the busiest in Romania.

The flight from Athens to Bucharest takes 1 hour and 35 minutes.

Ryanair flights cost from 75 euros return. With Aegean, flights will cost you from 95 euros return.

Transfer from Bucharest Otopeni Airport

To get from Otopeni Airport to the city centre (783), there are buses (780) serving this route. Another bus goes to the railway station, and there are always plenty of taxis parked outside the airport.

Accommodation in Bucharest

For your accommodation in Bucharest, you will find many wonderful hotels at very good prices.

You can find the most luxurious 5-star hotels with prices around 110 euros per night. If you want to keep a lower budget for your trip, you can find excellent hotels in Bucharest with prices starting from 55 euros per night.

The best areas to stay are Lipscani and Thermes. Of course, a very good option would also be to stay in the old town, specifically on Victoriei Street, which is one of the most beautiful and central streets in Bucharest.

Search on the Booking website https://www.booking.com/city/ro/bucharest.el.html for the hotel that suits you in Bucharest and book it at the best price!

Bucharest prices

Generally, due to Romania's depreciated currency, the Leu, the cost of living in Bucharest is quite affordable.

Anything that is expensive in the most popular European capitals, such as food, alcohol, and cigarettes, you will find at very economical prices in Romania.

Accommodation and food are equally cheap, so if you can, choose to make some splurges you wouldn't normally, as the city and the cost of living in Bucharest allow it.

Pay close attention to taxis because they will often try to overcharge you. A 15 km journey should not cost you more than 3 euros. Every kilometre a taxi covers in Bucharest equals 2 Lei, remember that!

Entrance fees to museums and other attractions in Bucharest will not cost you more than 10 euros per person.

The currency exchange rate is 1 euro = 4.6701 Ron, while 1 Ron equals 0.2141 euros.

The official name of the currency is Ron, but Lei is commonly used.

Shopping in Bucharest – What to buy in Bucharest

The answer to the above question is "Whatever you want", or rather, whatever fits in your suitcase and whatever your wallet can afford!

In Bucharest, you will find many large shopping centres for your purchases. One of the most famous is Baneasa, which is a short distance from the city centre.

Another shopping centre for your shopping in Bucharest is AFI Palace Cotroceni. You can easily reach it by metro.

A very good option is also the first department store that opened in Bucharest, the eponymous Bucharest Mall, which operates daily from 10:00 to 22:00.

Bucharest weather – When to go

Bucharest is usually snowy during the winter months. For this reason, we would advise you not to make your trip to Bucharest during the months of November to March. Already from November, the temperature usually drops to 5°C and reaches 10°C in April.

Despite the challenging weather conditions, Bucharest is a very popular destination during the Christmas period. You will experience wonderful and unique Christmas in Bucharest, as the city becomes particularly cosmopolitan and sparkling.

If you want to enjoy the city and explore it on foot, prefer to take your trip to Bucharest either in late spring to early summer or towards the beginning of autumn. This way you will be able to see and admire the city’s green parks up close.